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Home » City of Cleveland Provides General Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocols - Update #30

City of Cleveland Provides General Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocols - Update #30

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

CLEVELAND – The City of Cleveland continues to take numerous precautions across multiple departments and divisions amid increasing cases of coronavirus (COVID-19). Mayor Frank G. Jackson has extended the Proclamation of Civil Emergency through April 30, 2020. Click here to view the mayor’s declaration.

Essential services such as Police, Fire, EMS, waste collection and Utilities are operational.

Four New Cases of Coronavirus in Cleveland

The Cleveland Department of Public Health has been notified of 4 more confirmed test results for coronavirus in residents of the city. This brings the total to 236 confirmed cases in the City of Cleveland and two fatalities, ranging from less than one year to their 90’s. The new cases include males and females, whose ages range from their 30’s to 60’s. CDPH is working to identify any close contacts of these residents who would require testing or monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19.

As of today, there are more than 5,148 confirmed cases and 193 fatalities in the State of Ohio. There are more than 404,000 confirmed cases and 13,800 deaths in the United States.

In order to protect the individuals’ privacy, the Cleveland Department of Public Health will not be releasing any additional demographic information related to any COVID-19 cases aside from age range and gender.

Identifying Transient Populations: Regardless of whether someone has stable housing or is otherwise considered part of the unsheltered population here in Cleveland, they are afforded the same rights and protections as anyone else in accordance with HIPAA. As such, their health information is considered protected and the City will do whatever it can to respect and honor that for every individual.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) allows employers to exempt critical employees and emergency (first) responders. For example, Water Plant Operators, Waste Collectors, Patrol Officer and EMTs. These critical employees and emergency (first) responders have access to 80-hour of paid time off only if the employee is sick: COVID-19 positive, COVID-19/flu/flu-like symptoms.

The City of Cleveland has three (3) tiers of employees: critical employees and emergency (first) responders, essential employees and non-essential employees

Employees who are critical or emergency responders are necessary to continue the operation of the City's infrastructure. It is not feasible to have those employees off in every circumstance and have continuity of operations.

Essential and non-essential have full access to other factors which may necessitate 80-hours of paid time off if the employee:

is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;

has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;

is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis;

is caring for an individual who is subject to Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19; or who has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;

is caring for their minor child if the child’s school or place of care has been closed, or if the child’s care provider is unavailable due to COVID-19 precautions; or

is experiencing “any other substantially similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor.”

Under the EPSL provisions of FFCRA in general, an employer shall provide to each employee employed by the employer paid sick time to the extent that the employee is unable to work (or telework), or is a health care provider or an emergency (first) responder. The EPSL states, “Except that an employer of an employee who is a health care provider or an emergency responder may elect to exclude such employee from the application of this subsection.”

Division of Waste Collection Reminder

Using automated waste collection vehicles reduces the exposure to COVID-19 which can remain on various surfaces for a long period of time. Additionally, social distancing for the safety of crews becomes possible with reducing crew size down to just one driver in many instances. The City of Cleveland has suspended April bulk pick up to protect the workers providing this service.

Proper Set-Out Reminder: The City of Cleveland requires all solid waste bagged and in City of Cleveland supplied Black waste containers. Recycling material must be clean and loose in the City of Cleveland provided Blue container. All material must fit within your City of Cleveland provided containers. Please do not sit loose waste outside of the city provided containers.

All eligible residences received waste and recycle containers. If they do not have one, they need to report it stolen, then call waste collection at 216-664-3711. They will provide guidance on how to obtain service and avoid a citation until a new container is obtained.

Regularly scheduled waste collection will occur on Good Friday.

Willard Parking Garage

The Willard Park Garage will be closed on Good Friday, April 10. Surface lot parking is available.

Department of Public Utilities

As a reminder, the drinking water is safe. While business is operating as normal, the Public Utilities Building is closed to the public. Cleveland Water and Cleveland Public Power have temporarily stopped disconnection of residential services for non-payment. Cleveland Water customers should call 216-664-3130 and Cleveland Public Power customers should call 216-664-4600 for service restoration.

Cleveland Water Pollution Control (WPC) Customer Service lobby remains open to the public to purchase permits and review maps. The WPC office at 12302 Kirby Ave. is open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Report emergencies 24/7 by calling (216) 664-2513.

To date:

CPP has reconnected 77 total customers

CWD has reconnected 715 total customers

Cleveland Water customers can make payments and manage their account at myclevelandwater.com, by calling (216) 664-3130. Questions can be submitted via the inquiry form at clevelandwater.com/ask-a-question. CPP customers can make payments and manage their account at cpp.org. Inquiries and questions can be submitted via www.cpp.org/Contact

Cleveland Water and CPP customers may also use the dropbox located at 1201 Lakeside. Please include name and account number along with payment. Multiple accounts must be on separate checks.

Reminder: Economic Development Resources for Cleveland Businesses

Mayor Jackson and the City have established an emergency working capital fund in order to help maintain the business community. It includes up to $10,000 loan, no fees, no interest or payments due until January 1, 2021, 1% interest thereafter and payments of $150/month until repaid. Funds are limited, so applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. View the summary and application here.

The City previously introduced legislation which was passed by Cleveland City Council allowing for a six-month deferral of payments on economic development loans issued by the City. The program authorizes the Director of Economic Development to defer payment on most loans and to seek the consent of lenders on other loans. A six-month deferral will relieve some of the debt burden on our borrowers, reducing costs to businesses, during the enforced closures to protect public health.

These measures are in place to assist businesses until the Federal dollars become available. View the State Updates section below for information on the federal CARES ACT.

National Business Resources

Economic Impact Payments: The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically. More information here.

Tax Deadline Extension Reminder: : The Ohio house voted to extend the mail-in ballot period for the primary election to April 28 and extend the state’s income tax return deadline to July 15. Request a ballot by calling 216-443-VOTE. View the bill summary with additional provisions here.

Sign up for CodeRED alerts to receive calls and emails from the administration with important info regarding Coronavirus. To sign up online, visit https://bit.ly/CLECodeRED, get mobile alerts by downloading the CodeRED app via the Apple or Google Play stores. Seniors who need assistance signing up are welcome to call the Department of Aging at 216-664-4383 for periodic phone call messaging.

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life of its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit online at www.clevelandohio.gov, Twitter at @cityofcleveland, Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcleveland, or on our blog at clecityhall.com.

We are committed to improving the quality of life in the City of Cleveland by strengthening our neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing the diversity of our citizens, and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, raise a family, shop, study, play and grow old.